A MAN has been prosecuted for 'intentionally obstructing' specialist waste officers from accessing his scrapyard north of Carlisle.

The Environment Agency announced the prosecution of David Edwin Baty on July 27, detailing an obstruction from accessing his permitted site, Autobits, on Brampton Road in Longtown.

The Environment Agency periodically inspects sites like Autobits that have environmental permits.

These inspections allow the Environment Agency to assess the operator’s compliance with the permit conditions and ensure the environment is protected at all times.    

Authorised officers have a range of statutory powers to enable them to carry out inspections of sites.

The intentional obstruction of these authorised officers in carrying out their duties is a criminal offence.

Mr. Baty ignored the legal powers and refused to allow Environment Agency officers to inspect his site, according to the Environment Agency.

He failed to appear at Carlisle Magistrates court on July 27 and in his absence, he was fined £2200 and ordered to pay costs of £2000, along with a victim surcharge of £190.     

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Mr. Baty refused to acknowledge our powers of entry and intentionally stopped our officers from accessing his site for a routine waste inspection.

“On a second visit to the site, officers did gain access but only by the use of force, authorised by a Warrant granted by Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.   

“It’s really important that our officers are given timely access to sites covered by permits to allow us to check they are operating in a way that protects the environment.”   

He faced three allegations, including obstructing environment officer William Pattinson in the exercise of his powers or duties on January 6, obstructing environment officer Karl Hunter on the same day, and obstructing environment officer Gary Tupper  on February 10.

The Environment Agency’s functions include the regulation of sites that deal with waste, including scrap metal sites involved in the breaking up and recovery of materials from end-of-life vehicles.

Operators of sites involved in car-breaking operations, including the storage of waste vehicles, must hold an environmental permit and operate the site in accordance with the conditions set out in their permit.   

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